I’ve worn my hair straightened in some form or fashion since before I can remember. When I was ten, I got my first relaxer. Before that, my parents straightened my hair with an old fashioned pressing comb. As an adult, I’ve pretty much worn it blow-dried and flat-ironed to within an inch of its life.
Before Covid, I couldn’t tell you the last time I did my own hair. I’d become so reliant on hair stylists that I didn’t even know the real texture of my hair. I literally just never had to deal with it.
Oh, how things have changed.
After outside was cancelled, I went as long as I could without touching my hair hoping that the pandemic would abate and I could go back to my regular hair appointments. One week turned into two then three, then four. How long could I hold out? When I finally grabbed a bunch of random shampoo and conditioner and went for it, it was a tangled disaster. So much so that I had to cut out large chunks with scissors. Seriously. It was bad.
Since then (many tears and countless YouTube #naturalhair videos later), I’ve put away the scissors and have learned to be gentle with my tresses and myself.
But here’s the more interesting part - all this coincided with the #BLM resurgence. The combination of being stuck at home coupled with the increasing footage of black lives being snuffed out forced me to confront the ugliness of racism in less subtle, even more personal ways.
Of course I’ve faced racism. I’m a black woman. It would be impossible for me not to. However, it’s rarely blatant. Before the quarantine, I spent a great deal of my life in corporate environments where racism is pervasive but stealth. It reveals itself in things like being ignored in corporate conference rooms because people assumed I couldn’t be the one in charge. Or assuming that my role was in HR rather than marketing. Or odd compliments like “you’re so articulate, you write so well...” as if somehow I shouldn’t. Corporate environments aside, in regular life basic things like luxury shopping take on a whole different vibe - where sales people either ignore you or surreptitiously track your every move. Honestly, I’m not sure which is worse.
But what's this got to do with my hair? A lot.
Everyone handles racism differently. For me, I learned to present myself as polished as possible and amongst other things, polished, in my book, meant straight hair.
It made me feel more professional. It made me feel a little less “other”. And if I’m completely honest, it made me feel more attractive. Even with no makeup, if my hair was straight, I’m embarrassed to say, I felt presentable - even pretty.
Malcom X asked, “who taught you to hate yourself?”
That’s what I’ve been asking myself lately. It’s one thing to use my hair as a form of self expression. I can wear it how ever I want. It’s my hair. But it’s another to wear it a certain way because it makes me feel like I fit in or because it’s more “acceptable” or because I think my natural hair is unattractive.
The combination of Covid and #BlackLivesMatter forced a kind of epiphany for me. What is wrong with the natural texture of my hair? Why was it so important that it be straight?
I grew up in a time where black parents pressed their little girls hair, parted it down the middle and put it in ponytails with bows and barrettes.
Today, black girls rock box braids one day, Diana Ross glam-fros the next, bone straight hair the next. They go with the flow. They go with their mood. I admire their sense of self and freedom of expression.
It wasn’t like that when I was growing up. Sadly (but understandably), my generation was taught to be a lot more conformist.
It breaks my heart when I see the proliferation of mini “self love” books for little black girls with titles like “Love Your Hair,” “I’m a Pretty Princess,” “Love Thy Fro,” “Happy to be Nappy,” “I Love My Hair!” “My Hair,” “Hair Like Mine,” “Hair Love”. Something is really wrong with this picture. It implies something is bad about our hair that makes it difficult to love. Then again, if those books had been around when I was coming up, maybe I wouldn’t have this odd relationship with my own hair.
Who knows? But it’s telling that there are no books gently instructing children to love their blue eyes. Who has to tell Emily to love her blond hair?
Today I’m wearing my hair is in it’s natural state in all its kinky, curly, coiling glory. I’d say I was rocking’ it but to be honest, I’m not quite there yet. As they say in the natural hair community, it’s a journey.
This is where I am. I’m learning to embrace the beauty of my natural hair and what it says about me and who I am as a black woman.
As I get used to styling it and seeing my new reflection in the mirror, I’m learning to love myself more. It’s awkward and challenging but long, long overdue.
I’ll share more on my IG (@savvyclickchick) as I move forward. In the meantime, if you have natural hair tips or just want to commiserate or share your own story, please do share. It’s a challenging time but as we reflect and heal ourselves so too may our we begin to heal our world.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?
Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Controversial research papers
Essay on industrialization and environment
Conclusion for an essay against abortion
College homework help
Pay to do history course work
Free original essays
Most powerful resume format
english essay quotes womfx[/url] school essay editing site gb hlpky[/url] appraisal sxbqb[/url] sample service social bbosu[/url] 6361915Easy steps book report
Resume bloopers 2008
Mla research paper long quotes
What makes a good dissertation topic
Essay gift giving
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
creative essay editor site au lipzh[/url] methodology ghostwriting websites us amitj[/url] essay teen kgygb[/url] mba admission paper topic uhwfj[/url] movie review proofreading site gb osuci[/url][b]Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Ground rules for effective resume
Internet technology resume
Creative essay topics for year 7
medical ghostwriting editapaper.com
biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] up letter after cover letter wtszy[/url] book report xjvvt[/url] cv format isawf[/url] it programmer resume texom[/url]]
https://google.im/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://register.scotland.gov.uk/Subscribe/WidgetSignup?url=http://essaypro.me
https://www.google.com.do/url?q=https://essaypro.me
Popular thesis proposal ghostwriting for hire for school
Cheap book review writer website ca
Dan snaith thesis
[url=http://ocenka.bpx.by]Оценка недвижимости[/url]
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити кредит[/url]
http://biddinglaw.com/comment/html/?151866.html
http://www.miyou.hk/home.php?mod=space&uid=1466711&do=profile&from=space
Research paper revision workshop
Free essays on world war 2
Help with my literature blog
http://www.kf5u.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=143&pid=348496&page=6156&extra=page%3D1#pid348496
https://q8mazad.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2148691&posted=1#post2148691
http://sovetyem.ru/forum/showthread.php?p=648519&posted=1#post648519
Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe
critical essay on trump jyfyy[/url] to do environmental studies thesis npxuz[/url] of how to write a feature article hqsje[/url] dissertation chapter writing services for school lzshz[/url] biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] essays about eating disorders vjjec[/url] rindfleisch memorial fund 500 word essay required haxbu[/url] 1 maths past papers answers avvxq[/url] template law school ifahm[/url] login[/url]https://brooklyntweed.com/blogs/blog/allisons-weekender-light?comment=77790314551#comments
https://board.bmwcarmag.com/index.php?topic=841114.new#new
http://sadikov.uz/ru/content/sadikovuz-da-sizni-aynan-nima-qiziqtiradi-0?page=196#comment-51153
College essay header footer
biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] to write ecology thesis proposal bwecg[/url] case study ghostwriting websites for college weuvf[/url] essays bread muquq[/url] you list high school in resume wngmy[/url] conscious cover letter[/url] for getting fired on resume tchvm[/url]How to write business invitation letter
Marketing research essay papers
College Girls Porn Pics
indian porn star mandy hollween porn free porn vids for women best selling porn dvds ohyeah pornhttp://80sstyletshirts.instakink.com/?daniella
NEED ESSAY WRITING ?
Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Cover letter for teens .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Christianity buddhism comparison essay
Refraction essay
Resume airlines sample
Free cna resume template
Custom reflective essay on donald trump
Park scholarship essay
Components of a good literature review
on iran a global security threats – Professional dissertation chapter ghostwriter site au gcfjg 2021[/url] blog post ghostwriter sites for phd ozrmr 2021[/url] angelou research paper introduction mvtmi[/url] analysis essay writer website online ldfzk 2021[/url] 00620f1How to write film critique
Reservation in educational institutions essay
Popular masters essay writers website
Shakespeare sonnets essays
Comparison and contrasting sample essays
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
letter for teens [/b]https://lwvma.org/?s=Should+i+buy+my+dissertation.Visit:%F0%9F%93%95+%E2%9E%A1+www.ESSAYPRO.ME+%E2%AC%85+%F0%9F%93%95+Buy+dissertations,+How+much+does+it+cost+to+buy+a+dissertation,+Buy+dissertation+online+india,+How+much+does+it+cost+to+get+a+thesis+bound,+How+much+should+i+charge+to+edit+a+dissertation.
]
of sap basis gvckj[/url] english essay example story asavc[/url] alchemist essay on personal legends – Order best definition essay on hacking kkgiv 2021[/url] essay lord farquaad mlrxh[/url] on social security administration[/url]Alberta social diploma essay
Thesis autobragraphy example
Blanket resume objective
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
letter for teens [/b] ng essay sa filipino rjzrw[/url] essay picture team team work work ewsxk[/url] about why there should be no homework – Senior project thesis statment ecbse 2021[/url] an narrative essay mzaop 2021[/url]5 dissertation chapters
]
https://bookmarkstore.download/story.php?title=the-2-minute-rule-for-edubirdie-com#discuss
http://courses.cs.tau.ac.il/0368-3458/forum/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=catdryer64
https://bathcopy67.webgarden.cz/rubriky/bathcopy67-s-blog/facts-about-edubirdie-com
Custom scholarship essay editor for hire for phd
Cover letter criminal intelligence analyst
Example of a thesis abstract
[url=http://aviabileti-deshevo.ru]поиск дешевых авиабилетов по всем авиакомпаниям[/url]
[url=https://https://essaytyper.cm]essaytyper[/url]
https://couponsbuy.net/allcoupons/essayshark.review/
http://cbnodong.org/?document_srl=920000
Top personal statement writing site for masters
Diderot essay blindness
Cheap college application letter ideas
http://maxi-sport.su/product/162903/reviews/?msg=pel2#add-review
https://www.naranv.com/blogs/reviews/my-first-roll-of-film-camera?comment=90736132176#comments
https://bodybyryan.com/blogs/bodybyryan-blogs/which-workout-is-the-best?comment=96381567074#comments
Cover letter for teens
cover letter editing sites usa jyifm[/url] content ghostwriting for hire online xksmg 2021[/url] driving age essays – Dissertation results ghostwriters site uk rnqkv 2021[/url] dissertations list lydel 2021[/url] letter for teens [/b] essay writing precis writing vzgzf[/url] cover letter northwestern uuqil[/url] of a detailed business plan ezzio 2021[/url] cover letter writer websites for college ffsqo 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://cocoa.plus/blogs/blog/keep-hunting?comment=97504395327#comments
http://ravenswood.free.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?p=17447#17447
http://www.bartarforum.ir/showthread.php?47256-reference-an-essay-apa&p=288021&posted=1#post288021
Dyslexia research paper thesis
letter for teens [/b] teenage pregnancy research paper ejtcu[/url] solving ghostwriting sites usa lyfal[/url] dissertation chapter proofreading for hire us gpfvq[/url] anti death penalty essay afnlp[/url] student essay fdcfn[/url] home work writer site for mba mzksm[/url]Cheap dissertation results ghostwriter site for school
Cheap creative writing editing site for mba
New sexy website is available on the web
http://new.whitelandzeldapornflash.jsutandy.com/?jenna
jamica porn videos sara palin porn free sexual assult porn free 100mb porn videos terri wwe porn
Hardcore Galleries with hot Hardcore photos
http://newroads.downloadkporn.miaxxx.com/?janiya
kevin smith favorite porn sites onine porn videos tight teen pussy porn tube russian teen lexbian porn videos fbi porn raid
Hot galleries, thousands new daily.
http://beaver.creekhqpornbabespic.hoterika.com/?annabel
orgasmin lick out porn free daughter xxx porn tube brunnett porn tint tit porn elf porn sexual maid